Telephone system



y 1943- A. E., WOODRUFF I 2,324,659 TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Dec 22, 1941 y v STATJONHA w- PA m |4 l3 1/ v I Q tcgzgg g? m I2 I 22 2| 23 FIG 1 I v v 3 f V STATION B lo I V v HM M Q m 213E 1 14 mg 224" 0 I0 I I2 I 2 25 T 1 55 STATION x v u V T) A 3| 0 4 /45 47w W {R v K37 H34 332/ i @M w 2 4| FIG. 2

STATION Y v 3| 3 A5 41H 7 M34 33 1/ 8- @Q so INVENTOR.

' ALBERT E. WOODRUFF;

ATTORNEYS Patented July 20, 1 943 TELEPHONE SYSTEM Albert E. Wootlruff, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of'Delaware Application DeeemberZZ, 1941, Serial No. 423,889

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to telephone systems and more particularly to improved coupling equipment for completing telephone connections between stations of the same type or of different types.

Telephone systems provided on ships and other vehicles frequently comprise stations of both the battery type and the sound-powered or nonbattery type which must be variably intercom.

nected for communication purposes without regard to the-types of the individual stations.

Accordingly the principal object of the present invention is to provide in a telephone system of the type noted an improved coupling arrangement for interconnecting a plurality of stations taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a circuitdiagram of a telephone system embodying the present invention and Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a modified form of the telephone system.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing there is illustrated a telephone system embodying the features of the present invention and comprising a plurality of stations A, B, etc. Preferably, the stations A, B, etc. are identical, each comprising a receiver unit includ-- ing two substantially identical receivers l0, a first microphone ll of the voltage-generating soundwave-actuated type and a second microphone |'2 of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type. Also each station A, B, etc. comprises first and second switches l3 and I4, first and second separable connectors l5 and I6, and a circuit network for connecting the receivers It] and the microphones H and [2 to the first connector l5.

Each of the first connectors I5 is in the form of apl'ug of the tip-ring-sleeve type; and each of the second connectors I6 is in the form of a jack of the tip-ring-sleeve type. Preferably, each of the receivers I0 is of the construction of that disclosed in U. S. Patent NO. 2,241,105, Woodru'fi' disclosed in the above-mentioned Woodruii and Horlacher patent; while each of the microphones I2 is of the construction of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,252,748, Woodrufi and Horlacher, granted August 19, 1941.

Also the telephone system comprises a coupling network including a tipbus 2|, aring bus 22, a sleeve bus 23, a coupling transformer 24' and a source of current supply in the form of a battery 25. The tip bus 2|, the ring bus 22 and the sleeve bus 2'3 are respectively connected to the ring, the tip and the sleeve of each of the jacks IS. The coupling transformer 24 includes a primary winding 26 and a secondary winding 21. The secondary winding 21 is connected in series relation with a condenser 28 across the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22; while the primary winding 26 is connected in series relation with thebattery 25 across the tip bus 2| and the sleeve bus 23.

Considering now the operationof the telephone system, in order to complete a connection from any one of the stations A, B, etc. to the coupling network, it is only necessary to insert the asso-- ciated plug l5 into the associated jack I6, whereby the two receivers |0 are connected in multiple by way of the tip and the ring of the plug I5 and the tip and the ring of the plug IE to the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22. At this time the microphone may be operatively connected to the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22 by operating the switchl3 this circuit extending from the microphone by way of the switch l3, the tip and'the ring of the plug l5 and the tip and the ring of the jack Hi to the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22. Similarly, the microphone |2 may be operatively connected to the tip bus 2 and the sleeve bus 23 by operating the switch l4; this circuit extending from the microphone |2 byway of the switch I4. the tip and the sleeve of the plug I5 and the tip and the sleeve of the jack Hi to the tip bus 2| and the sleeve bus 23.

Now assume that the stations A and B are operatively connected to thecoupling network for communication purposes. When the person at the station A speaks he may operate the switch l3, whereby the microphone generates a signal voltage which is impressed by way of the previously traced circuit between the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22. The signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 2'| and the ring bus 22 is conducted by way of the previously traced circuit to the multiple connected receivers ID' at both the station A and the station B. On

the other hand, when the person at the station A speaks he may operate the switch l4, whereby the microphone I2 is supplied with current over the previously traced circuit including the battery 25, the primary winding 28 of the coupling transformer 24, the tip bus 2| and the sleeve bus 23. Accordingly the microphone i2 produces a signal voltage which traverses the primary winding 26 of the coupling transformer 24 and causes a corresponding signal voltage to be induced in the secondary winding 2-? of the coupling transformer 24. The signal voltage induced in the secondary winding 2? of the coupling transformer 24 is impressed by way of the condenser 28 between the tip bus 2i and the ring bus 22. The signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22 is conducted by way of the previously traced circuit to the multiple connected receivers 53 at both the station A and the station B.

Accordingly it will be readily understood that the person at the station A may utilize either the microphone I or the microphone I2 in order to cause the multiple connected receivers 50 at the station B to respond. Similarly the person at the station B may utilize either the microphone H or the microphone I2 in order to cause the multiple connected receivers H3 at the station A to respond. Furthe it will be readily understood that other stations may be connected tothe coupling network, which stations may be entirely of the battery type or of the soundpowered type, as noted above; and that the receivers at each of the stations connected to the coupling network will respond to the operation of the microphone at any one of the stations regardless of the type of microphone utilized.

At this point it is noted that, when the person at any station, such, for example, as the station A, is not utilizing the microphones H and I2, the respectively associated switches i3 and M will occupy their open positions in order to minimize losses in the system and to prevent unnecessary loading of the coupling network and the consequent reduction in the amplitude of the signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 2| and the ring bus 22. v

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawing there is illustrated a modified form of the telephone system embodying the features of the present invention and comprising a plurality of stations X, Y, etc. Preferably, the stations X, Y,etc., are identical, each comprising a receiver unit including two substantially identical receivers 30, a first microphone 3! of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type and a second microphone 32 of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type. Also each station X, Y, etc. comprises first and second switches 33 and 34, first and second separable connectors 35 and 36, and a circuit network for connecting the receivers 3|! and the microphones 3| and 32 to the first connector 35.

Each of the first connectors 35 is in the form of a plug of the tip-ring-sleeve type; and each of the second connectors 33 is in the form of a jack of the tip-ring-sleeve type. Preferably, each of the receivers 3|) is of the construction of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,241,105, Woodruii and Horlacher, granted May 6, 1941; each of the microphones 3| is of the construction of that disclosed in the above-mentioned Woodrufi and Horlacher patent; while each of the microphones 32 is of the construction of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,252,748, Woodruff and Horlacher, granted August 19, 1941.

Also each station X, Y, etc. comprises a coupling transformer 43 and a source of current supply in the form of a battery 45. The coupling transformer 44 includes a primary winding 436 and a secondary winding 41. The secondary winding 41 is adapted to be connected by way of a pair of contacts 37 carried by the jack 38 across the tip and the ring of the jack while the primary winding 48 is connected in series relation with the battery 45 across the tip and the sleeve of the jack 36.

Also the telephone system comprises a coupling network including a tip bus 4| and a ring bus 42. The tip bus 3| and the ring bus 42 are respectively connected to the tip and the ring of each of the jacks 36.

Considering now the operation of the telephone system, in order to complete a connection from any one of the stations X, Y, etc. to the coupling network, it is only necessary to insert the associated plug 35 into the associated jack 36, whereby the two receivers 3|] are connected in multiple by way of the tip and the ring of the plug 35 and the tip and the ring of the plug 36 to the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. Also when the plug 35 is inserted into the jack 36 the pair of contacts 31 is closed, thereby operatively to connect the secondary winding 47 of the coupling transformer 44 across the tip and the ring of the jack 36 and consequently across the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. At this time the microphone 3| may be operatively connected to the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42 by operating the switch 33; this circuit extending from the microphone 3| by way of the switch 33, the tip and the ring of the plug 35 and the tip and the ring of the jack 36 to the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. Similarly an operating circuit may be completed for the microphone 32 by operating the switch 34; this circuit extending from the microphone 32 by way of the switch 34, the tip and the sleeve of the plug 35 and the tip and the sleeve of the jack 36 and the primary winding 46 of the coupling transformer 44 to the terminals of the battery 45.

Now assume that the stations X and Y are operatively connectedto the coupling network for communication purposes. When the person at thestation X speaks he may operate the switch 33, whereby the microphone 3| generates a signal voltage which is impressed by way of the previously traced circuit between the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. The signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42 is conducted by way of the previously traced circuit to the multiple connected receivers 30 at both the station X and the station Y. On the other hand, when the person at the station X speaks he may operate the switch 34, whereby the microphone 32 is supplied with current over the previously traced circuit including the battery 45 and the primary winding 46 of the coupling transformer 44. Accordingly the microphone 32 produces a signal voltage which traverses the primar winding 46 of the coupling transformer 44 and causes a corresponding signal voltage to be induced in the secondary winding 4'! of the coupling transformer 44. The signal voltage induced in the secondary winding 41 of the coupling transformer 44 is impressed by way of the contacts 31 of the jack 36 between the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. The signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42 is conducted by way of the previously traced circuit to the multiple connected receivers at both the station X and the station Y.

Accordingly it will be readily understood that the person at the station X may utilize either the microphone 3| or the microphone 32 in order tocause the multiple connected receivers at the station Y to respond. Similarly the person at the station Y may utilize either the microphone 3| or the microphone 32 in order to cause the multiple connected receivers 30 at the station'X to respond. Further it will be readily understood that other stations may be connected to the coupling network, which stations may be entirely of the battery type or of the soundpowered type, as noted above; and that the receivers at each of the stations connected to the coupling network will respond to the operation of the microphone at any one of the stations regardless of the type of microphone utilized.

At this point it is noted that, when the person at any station, such, for example, as the station X, is not utilizing the microphones 3| and 32, the respectively associated switches 33 and 34 will occupy their open positions in order to minimize losses in the system and to prevent unnecessary loading of the coupling network and the consequent reduction in the amplitude of the signal voltage impressed between the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42. More specifically, when the switch 34 occupies its open position the previously traced circuit, including the battery 45, for energizing the primary winding 46 of the coupling transformer 44 is interrupted, whereby the effective impedance of the secondary winding 41 of the coupling transformer 44, connected by way of the contacts 31 of the jack 36 across the tip bus 4| and the ring bus 42, is rendered exceedingly high.

While two embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: l

1. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including first and second separable connectors, a receiver, a first microphone of the voltage-generating soundwaveactuated type, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, and a circuit network operatively connecting said receiver to said first connector and selectively contrc-llable operatively to connect either said first microphone or said second microphone to said first connector, and a coupling network operatively interconnecting said second connectors.

2. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said station including first and second separable connectors, a receiver, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound- Wave-actuated type, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, first and second switches, and a circuit network operatively connecting said receiver to said first connector and selectively controllable by said first and second switches respectively operatively to connect said first and second microphones to said first connector; and a coupling network operatively interconnecting said second connectors.

3. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including first and second separable connectors of the matched three-terminal type, a receiver connected across the first and second terminals of said first connector, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, a first switch operative to connect said first microphone across the first and second terminals of said first connector, 2. second microphone of the battery vibratingmusculanactuated type, and a second switch operative to connect said second microphone across the second and third terminals of said first connector; and a coupling network operatively interconnecting the first and second and third terminals of said second connectors.

4. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including a plug of the tip-ring-sleeve type, a receiver, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-waveactuated type, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, and a circuit network operatively connecting said receiver across the tip and the ring of said plug and selectively controllable operatively to connect said first micro-phone across the tip and the ring of said plug and to connect said second microphone across the tip and the sleeve of said plug; a plurality of jacks individual to said stations and of the tip-ring-s1eeVe type; and a coupling network operatively interconnecting the tip and ring and sleeve of said jacks.

5. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including first and second separable connectors of the matched three-terminal type, a receiver connected across the first and second terminal of said first connector, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, a first switch operative to connect said first microphon across the and second terminals of said first conhector, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, and a second switch operative to connect said second microphone across the second and third terminals of said first connector; a coupling transformer provided with primary and secondary windings; a source of current supply; and a circuit network connecting the secondary winding of said coupling transformer across the first and second terminals of each of said second connectors and connecting the primary winding of said coupling transformer and said source of current supply in series relation across the second and third terminals of each of said second connectors.

6. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including a plug of the tip-ring-sleeve type, a receiver, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-waveactuated type, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, and a circuit network operatively connecting said receiver across the tip and the ring of said plug and selectively controllable operatively to connect said first microphone across the tip and the ring of said plug and to connect said second microphone across the tip and the sleeve of said plug; a plurality of jacks individual to said stations and of the tip-ring-sleeve type; tip and ring and sleeve busses respectively connected to the tip and ring and sleeve of said jacks; a coupling transformer provided with primary and secondary windings; a source of current supply; and a circuit network connecting the secondary Winding of said coupling transformer across said tip bus and said ring bus and connecting the primary winding of said coupling transformer and said source of current supply in series relation across said tip bus and said ring bus.

7. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including first and second separable connectors of the matched three-terminal type, a receiver connected across the first and second terminals of said first connector, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, a first switch operative to connect said first microphone across the first and second terminals of said first connector, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, a second switch operative to connect said second microphone across the second and third terminals of said first connector, a coupling transformer provided with primary and secondary windings, a source of current supply, and a circuit network selectively controllable to connect the secondary winding of said coupling transformer across the first and second terminals of said second connector and connecting the primary winding of said coupling transformer and said source of current supply in series relation across the second and third terminals of said second connector; and a circuit network operatively interconnecting the first and second terminals of said second connectors.

8. A telephone system comprising a plurality of stations; each of said stations including a plug and a jack each of the tip-ring-sleeve type, a receiver, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, a circuit network operatively connecting said receiver across the tip and the ring of said plug and selectively controllable operatively to connect said first microphone across th tip and the ring of said plug and to connect said second microphone across the tip and the sleeve of said plug, a coupling transformer provided with primary and secondary windings, a source of current supply, and a circuit network selectively controllable to connect the secondary winding of said coupling transformer across the tip and the ring of said jack and connecting the primary winding of said coupling transformer and said source of current supply in series relation across the tip and the sleeve of said jack; and tip and ring busses respectively connected to the tip and the ring of said jacks.

ALBERT-E. WOODRUFF. 

